Average value of AC over a complete cycle is always zero

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The average value of an alternating current (AC) over a complete cycle is definitively zero, as confirmed by the first statement in the discussion. The second statement regarding the average value of AC being defined over half a cycle is misleading; while root mean square (RMS) calculations can be performed over half a cycle, it does not apply to arithmetic averages. Therefore, the first statement is true, while the second is vague and not entirely accurate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sinusoidal functions
  • Familiarity with arithmetic mean and root mean square (RMS) calculations
  • Knowledge of periodic functions
  • Basic calculus for integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of sinusoidal functions in electrical engineering
  • Learn about the differences between arithmetic mean and root mean square (RMS) calculations
  • Explore the concept of periodic functions and their averages
  • Review calculus techniques for integration in the context of AC analysis
USEFUL FOR

Students in electrical engineering, physics enthusiasts, and anyone studying the behavior of alternating currents and their mathematical representations.

atavistic
Messages
105
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Statement 1: Average value of AC over a complete cycle is always zero.
Statement 2: Average value of AC is always defined over half cycle.

We need to tell whether these two statements are right, and if 1 is right then whether 2 is its explanation.


Homework Equations


Well arithmetic mean = integral f(x)dx/ integral dx
root mean sqaure = root( integral f(x)^2 dx/ integral dx)


The Attempt at a Solution



I think both are false since it depends upon the type of mean we are taking. Arithmetic would be zero and root mean square non zero. And I think we take mean over complete cycle only. But my answer is wrong.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org


Is this the right place to post this?
 


Who says your answer is wrong? (or right?)

The first statement is pretty clearly true. If you perform a simple average of a sinusoid over one full cycle it comes out zero.

As you observe, it does not make sense to try to average a periodic function over only half of its period, so the second statement does not look correct. If, however, you make an rms calculation over the half period it will be the correct rms value. So the second statement is not clearly right or wrong, but rather seems just vague as to what it means.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
916
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K